However, we still have some notable titles, including It Takes Two, Balan Wonderworld, farm simulation games, and the arrival of the Kingdom Hearts’ entire series to PC. In the re-release spectrum we have some acclaimed titles for unreleased platforms, including Yakuza: Like a Dragon for PS5, Crash Bandicoot for Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and Disco Elysium for PlayStation. Check out the month’s top releases below:
Yakuza: Like a Dragon - March 2
Released for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S in November, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is finally coming to PlayStation 5. The seventh main game in Sega’s acclaimed franchise, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is essentially a reboot of the franchise, bringing a new protagonist, new region, and a revamped combat system. In the game, protagonist Ichiban Kasuga is apparently betrayed by his former boss after spending 18 years in jail for a crime he did not commit and is marooned in the Yokohama region of Japan. He soon becomes involved in a complex conspiracy involving criminal organizations, police, and corrupt politicians. Alongside him in this journey, Ichiban has the help of several companions who help him to knuckle some heads in battles, which by the way was majorly revamped. Instead of the beat ’em up fighting of previous games, it shifted towards turn-based combat (yay!) and even included jobs to the characters.
Harvest Moon: One World - March 2
The next game in the series that was, ceased to be, and became again Harvest Moon. In One World players will have the opportunity to explore five different biomes - from fields to beaches to mountains - tending crops and animals on a journey to rescue the Harvest Goddess. Players will also be able to connect with different people and marry during their journey. It is worth noting that, as stated above, this is the “new” Harvest Moon series, as the franchise that the public knew as Harvest Moon from the 1990s is now known as Story of Seasons - which also has a game coming in March 2021.
Apex Legends - March 9
Speaking of re-releases games getting versions for the Switch, Apex Legends is officially coming to Nintendo’s console on the 9th. This version of the game is being developed in partnership with Panic Button Studio, the technomancers responsible for bringing games like Doom, Doom Eternal, and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. Since it will be released in the middle of the current gaming season, EA will be offering 30 Battle Pass’ levels and double experience for the first two weeks.
Stronghold: Warlords - March 9
The new game in Firefly Studios’ traditional real-time strategy series, Stronghold: Warlords now allows players to take control of armies and forces from the East, including the Japanese, Chinese, and Mongols. Another special highlight is the implementation of Warlords, who can be recruited or defeated to become vassals and serve in the management and maintenance of their forces and can be used in various ways on the battlefield.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time - March 12
After its original release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it’s time for Switch and next-gen consoles to receive the new Crash Bandicoot adventure. In Crash 4, the hero and his companions must once again face Dr. Neo Cortex, who creates a rift in the multiverse by escaping from his prison. As a result, players must traverse different worlds and universes to find the Quantum Masks and bring order to the multiverse. In It’s About Time, players will be able to take control of Crash, his sister Coco, an alternate version of Tawna, and even Dr. Neo Cortex himself in certain stages, as well as several other unlockable characters.
Samurai Shodown - March 16
Two years after its original release, Samurai Shodown now debuts on the new generation of consoles. A reboot of the iconic SNK fighting series, this new version will have graphical improvements and support up to 120fps. Not only that, thanks to the Smart Delivery system, those who have the Xbox One version will already have access to the game on the new console, as well as any DLC purchased so far. March 16 is also the date of the game’s Season 3 arrival, which will feature figures such as the fighter Cham Cham, Hibiki Takane, and a set of character balance fixes.
Marvel’s Avengers - March 18
Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will finally make its debut on the new generation of consoles, after having its original date, scheduled for the end of 2020, pushed back. The game will feature improvements and new features such as the use of haptic feedback for each hero on the PlayStation 5’s DualSense. Owners of the Xbox One and PS4 versions will be able to upgrade to the new versions for free. But no upgrade will add haptic feedback to the Xbox controller. On the same day, the game will receive Hawkeye the Archer, Clint Barton, and an adventure pack that will show the hero facing a future version of himself, as well as the Maestro, a smart and brutal version of the Hulk.
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town - March 23
Remember Harvest Moon: One World from the beginning of this list of releases? Well, Story of Seasons is the newest game in the series formerly known as Harvest Moon, which changed its name after 2013 when the partnership with Natsume ended. In the new Story of Seasons, the protagonist must honor his grandfather’s legacy and take over his farm in the quiet community of Olive Town. To do this, the player must manage his crops, care for animals, and search for items and materials to improve his structure. Farm simulation at his finest. This is in addition to participating in festivals and events in Olive Town, getting to know more of its inhabitants, and swaging your way into romances.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life - March 25
Yakuza 6, the game that ended Kazuma Kiryu’s saga as the protagonist of the Sega franchise, will finally release for Xbox. In his final adventure, Kiryu must investigate what happened to young Haruko after she was run over while trying to save a baby - which, the former Yakuza man soon discovers, is her son. (Did I just spoil something?) His investigation leads him to the town of Onomichi in Hiroshima, where he finds himself embroiled in a war between Japanese, Chinese, and Korean gang factions, as well as a mystery covered up since the days of World War II. It is worth noting that with Yakuza 6, all the main games in the series will finally be available for Microsoft consoles in case you want to inhabit the Japanese mafia world.
Monster Hunter Rise - March 26
The big release of the month, Monster Hunter Rise is the newest game in Capcom’s acclaimed series and will debut on the Nintendo Switch as a timed exclusive. Set in the ninja-themed Kamura Village region, Rise follows the classic format of the series, where one or up to four players can hunt the different creatures that live in its surroundings. There are, however, new features for hunters: it is possible to move around and access different areas of the world thanks to a special new tool known as the Wirebug; and the Palamutes, canine companions that can serve as mounts for players. It is also possible to ride and control large monsters via the Wirebug to topple other monsters or slingshot your prey head-on into a rocky wall.
Balan Wonderworld - March 26
Balan Wonderworld brings together the duo of Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima, creators of Sonic the Hedgehog and who last collaborated on Nights into Dreams. In Balan Wonderland, players will take control of two characters, Leo and Emma, who follow the mysterious maestro Balan through the inner worlds of people. During the adventure, it will be possible to use more than 80 different costumes, with unique abilities and styles.
It Takes Two - March 26
It Takes Two is the new game from Hazelight studio, and just like its previous title, A Way Out, it is a fully cooperative experience between two players. Cooperative like A Way Out… right. If you played it, you know what I mean. In the game, two players control the couple Cody and May, who are about to get divorced. Thanks to a wish from their daughter, Rose, the two are transformed into dolls and, under the tutelage of a self-help book called Dr. Hakim, must work together to survive a magical world full of dangers. The game stands out for the many different mechanics and concepts that players will have to use in Cody and May’s adventures, from stopping time and cloning themselves to using complementary weapons to solve puzzles.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut - March 30
One of the most acclaimed games of recent years, the RPG Disco Elysium will be released in an expanded version and, for the first time, for consoles, starting with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. In the game, the player controls a police officer who loses his memory after entering a cycle of self-destruction and absurd alcohol consumption. Tasked with finding out who is responsible for the death of a man hanging from a tree behind the hotel where he is staying, he sets off on a journey through the streets of the decadent city of Revachol, trying to reconstruct his identity through interactions with the inhabitants and the user’s own choices. The Final Cut features the content of the original game, plus a series of quests related to the political views the player can choose for the character - between communism, fascism, moralism, and ultra-liberalism - and voiceover for all characters, including the different thoughts of the protagonist
Kingdom Hearts Series - March 30
Kingdom Hearts is finally coming to PC via the Epic Store. The collection features all games released to date and older games in their remastered versions. The entire series is separated into three collections and a spin-off: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind, and Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, this being the musical spin-off of the series. Talking about the history of Kingdom Hearts is quite the ordeal. The series had games scattered among different consoles, which complicated the situation for those who wanted to follow the story sequentially. Protagonists and characters change depending on the game, which helps feed the lore but doesn’t necessarily answer the mysteries of the saga. In the numbered games, we follow Sora and his two faithful and very famous companions, Donald and Goofy. The protagonist wields the Keyblade and uses his powers to take on both familiar Disney villains and newcomers to the franchise, such as the Heartless and Nobodies.
